Tributes to 'extra special' Sunderland gran after her death from coronavirus at the age of 53
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Tracey Donnelly, a support worker for the North East Autism Society (NEAS), passed away in Sunderland Royal Hospital at the age of 53.
The charity’s chief executive, John Phillipson, said: “There is genuine shock and sadness across the society at this bitter loss.
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Hide Ad"Tracey was dedicated, very popular, well respected and will be greatly missed by us all.”
Tracey, who lived in Ryhope, joined the charity five years ago and is the society’s third staff member to die from Covid-19.
She mainly worked over the last two years at Sunderland’s The Court, Inverthorne and Moorpine residential homes.
NEAS registered care manager Michael Ross said: “Tracey was such a caring, hard-working person who got on with everyone. She loved her family, and she loved the service users in her care.
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Hide Ad“This tragic news has ripped the heart out of the team and her colleagues are absolutely devastated.”
Tracey’s husband, George, said: “She was so proud to be part of the North East Autism Society, working alongside a fantastic team, and caring so much for the service-users. All she ever wanted was the best for them.”
Tracey, who was born and raised in Edinburgh, moved from Scotland after meeting George and they married in October 2012.
George added: “I loved her the first time I saw her and I always will. She was so loving and kind – just an extra-special person in every way.”
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Hide Ad“The one bit of comfort I’ve been able to draw is the number of private messages I’ve had from her colleagues, along with a letter from the parent of one of the service users. That shows what she meant to everyone.”
Tracey’s funeral takes place at Sunderland Crematorium on Thursday, November 26, at 3pm.
The cortege will pause outside the three residential homes where she worked.
Tracey leaves four sons – Steve, Christopher, Ben and Jack - and also had three step-children – Hayley, Jonathan, and Emma – and eight grandchildren.
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Hide AdNEAS colleagues Margie Blyth, 66, of Sunderland, and Sue Gargett, 53, of Shotton Colliery, both died after testing positive for coronavirus earlier this year.
However there is no evidence that any of them were infected while carrying out their duties.